2 COR 10:14 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach to you, for we came even as far as you with the gospel of Christ,

UST In fact, only if we had not actually visited you would what God has given us to do not include you. Of course, we really have already visited you and told you the good news about the Messiah.

BSB We are not overstepping our [bounds], as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.

BLB For we are not overextending ourselves, as not reaching to you. For we came also as far as you in the gospel of Christ,

AICNT For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ.

OEB For it is not the case, as it would be if we were not in the habit of coming to you, that we are exceeding our bounds! Why, we were the very first to reach you with the good news of the Christ!

WEBBE For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,

WMBB For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Messiah,

NET For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ.

LSV for we do not stretch ourselves too much, as not reaching to you, for even to you we came in the good news of the Christ,

FBV We are not over-extending our authority in saying this, as if we didn't get as far as you, for we did get to you and share with you the good news of Christ.[fn]

10:14 Paul is saying that he was working within his commission to spread the gospel when he came to Corinth. It may be that some were saying that Corinth was not really part of Paul's jurisdiction.

TCNT For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you; we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.

T4T when I talk about working among you, I am not boasting about working in an area where God did not give me the right to work. What those who oppose me say about my not having authority as an apostle to you might be true if I had not already come all the way to your area. But that is not true, because I was the one who first brought the message about Christ to you. I came to Corinth before they did!

LEB For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we[fn] had not reached you, because we have reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ,

10:14 *Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“reached”) which is understood as conditional

BBE For we have no need to make ourselves seem more than we are, as if our authority did not come as far as to you: for we came even as far as you with the good news of Christ:

Moff I am not overstepping the limit, as if you lay beyond my sphere; I was the very first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.

Wymth For there is no undue stretch of authority on our part, as though it did not extend to you. We pressed on even to Corinth, and were the first to proclaim to you the Good News of the Christ.

ASV For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ:

DRA For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as if we reached not unto you. For we are come as far as to you in the gospel of Christ.

YLT for not as not reaching to you do we stretch ourselves overmuch, for even unto you did we come in the good news of the Christ,

Drby For we do not, as not reaching to you, overstretch ourselves, (for we have come to you also in the glad tidings of the Christ;)

RV For we stretch not ourselves overmuch, as though we reached not unto you: for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of Christ:

SLT For not as reaching to you we stretch beyond ourselves: for also even to you we came before in the good news of Christ:

Wbstr For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure , as though we reached not to you; for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

KJB-1769 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

KJB-1611 For we stretch not our selues beyond our measure as though wee reached not vnto you, for wee are come as farre as to you also, in preaching the Gospel of Christ.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps For we stretch not out our selues beyonde measure, as though we reached not vnto you: For euen to you also haue we come with the Gospell of Christe:
(For we stretch not out ourselves beyond measure, as though we reached not unto you: For even to you also have we come with the Gospel of Christ:)

Gnva For we stretche not our selues beyonde our measure, as though wee had not attained vnto you: for euen to you also haue we come in preaching the Gospel of Christ,
(For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we had not attained unto you: for even to you also have we come in preaching the Gospel of Christ, )

Cvdl For we stretche not or selues to farre as though we had not reached vnto you. For euen vnto you haue we come with the Gospell of Christ,
(For we stretch not or selves too far as though we had not reached unto you. For even unto you have we come with the Gospel of Christ,)

TNT For we stretche uot out oure selves beyode measure as though we had not reached vnto you. For even vnto you have we come with the gospell of Christ
(For we stretch uot out our selves beyode measure as though we had not reached unto you. For even unto you have we come with the gospel of Christ )

Wycl For we ouerstretchen not forth vs, as not stretchinge to you. For to you we camen in the gospel of Crist,
(For we overstretchen not forth us, as not stretchinge to you. For to you we came in the gospel of Christ,)

Luth Denn wir fahren nicht zu weit, als wären wir nicht gelanget bis zu euch; denn wir sind ja auch bis zu euch kommen mit dem Evangelium Christi.
(Because we/us drive/ride/run not to/for far, as would_be we/us not reacht until to/for you; because/than we/us are ya also until to/for you coming with to_him gospel Christi.)

ClVg Non enim quasi non pertingentes ad vos, superextendimus nos: usque ad vos enim pervenimus in Evangelio Christi.
(Not/No because as_if not/no pertingentes to you(pl), superextendimus us: until to you(pl) because pervenimus in/into/on Evangelio Christi. )

UGNT οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς, ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς, ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ;
(ou gar hōs maʸ efiknoumenoi eis humas, huperekteinomen heautous, aⱪri gar kai humōn efthasamen en tōi euangeliōi tou Ⱪristou;)

SBL-GNT οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς, ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ—
(ou gar hōs maʸ efiknoumenoi eis humas huperekteinomen heautous, aⱪri gar kai humōn efthasamen en tōi euangeliōi tou Ⱪristou—)

RP-GNT Οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς· ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ χριστοῦ·
(Ou gar hōs maʸ efiknoumenoi eis humas huperekteinomen heautous; aⱪri gar kai humōn efthasamen en tōi euangeliōi tou ⱪristou;)

TC-GNT Οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς· ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ·
(Ou gar hōs maʸ efiknoumenoi eis humas huperekteinomen heautous; aⱪri gar kai humōn efthasamen en tōi euangeliōi tou Ⱪristou; )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–18: Paul defended his ministry

In this section, Paul asked the believers in Corinth to live in obedience to their faith, or he might have to rebuke or discipline some (10:1–2). He explained how a believer fights against those who oppose God (10:3–4) and how to rebuke them as well as correct a disobedient believer (10:5–6).

He told them to understand their situation, including Paul’s authority (10:7–8). He explained that he was forceful in his letters, and that he would be forceful in person if he had to be (10:9–11).

He told them that people who commend themselves are not wise (10:12). He explained that he boasted only in proper ways. One of those ways was boasting about the faith of people whom he had helped become believers, which included those in Corinth (10:13–15a). He told them that he hoped to preach the gospel in more regions (10:15b–16a). He explained further about proper things to boast about (10:16b–17). Lastly, he told them that God approves of people according to what God himself says in favor of them and not what a person boasts about himself (10:18).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s reply to accusations of weakness (NJB)

Paul Describes Himself (NASB)

Paul responded to some who had criticized him

10:14a

We are not overstepping our bounds,

We^(excl) are not reaching/stretching beyond what God assigned to us,
We are not talking/boasting about ministry/work that we are not responsible for.
We do not brag about things other than our own/proper work/ministry,

10:14 begins with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “for” or “because.” Here it probably introduces an explanation of what Paul said in 10:13. For example:

For (RSV)

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and omit the conjunction.

We are not overstepping our bounds: The Greek words are literally “We are not reaching/stretching beyond ourselves.” There are two ways to interpret the Greek:

It refers to not going beyond the places where Paul first preached. Paul was the first to evangelize in Corinth. For example:
we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you (RSV) (BSB, RSV, GNT, NJB, ESV, NABRE, NASB, KJV, NLT, GW, NET, REB)
It refers to not boasting too much. For example:
We are not bragging more than we should (CEV) (NIV, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because 10:13 ends with “even to you,” so the topic seems to be the places where Paul first preached.Harris, Martin, Barrett, Furnish, Barnett, Kistemaker, Hughes, and Kruse support interpretation (1).

Other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1) are:

We are not overreaching ourselves (NJB)

For we were not overstepping our limits (NRSV)

And since you are within those limits, we were not going beyond them (GNT)

We are not reaching beyond these boundaries (NLT)

10:14b

as if we had not come to you.

as we would be if we had not come all the way to you, (NJB)
Look, if we had not come to you and started the church there, then we would not be responsible for you.
since we came to Corinth to do God’s work there.

as if we had not come to you: God had told Paul and the others to go to Corinth and preach the gospel. They established the church there. So it was proper for them to be proud of what God was doing among the believers there. If Paul and the others had not gone to Corinth, it would be improper for them to boast about the believers there as if Paul were responsible for them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

as we would be if we had not come all the way to you (NJB)

as though we hadn’t already been to Corinth (GW)

as if we had not come to you and begun the church there

Since 10:14a already has the word not, in some languages the meaning is clearer when not is avoided here. For example:

since you are within those limits (GNT)

10:14c

Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.

but it was us who came all the way to you with the gospel about Christ.
Indeed, we came as far as you with the gospel of Christ.
In fact we came as far as you with the good news of Christ and began the church/group of believers there.

Indeed: This Greek word that the BSB translates as Indeed is a conjunction usually translated as “for” or “because.” It introduces an explanation of why Paul had not boasted too much (10:14a).

we were the first to reach you: The Greek word that the BSB translates as first to reach implies that Paul started the church in Corinth.

to reach you: The Greek words are “even to you.” It is the same phrase as in 10:13c.

gospel: The Greek word that the BSB translates here as gospel is sometimes translated as “good news.” In the New Testament the word refers to the good news that Jesus is the Christ. See how you translated this word in 2:12 or 4:3.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

(Occurrence 2) γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ὡς μή ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς ἄχρι γάρ καί ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ)

Here, the word For introduces Paul’s proof that the “limit” he mentioned in the previous verse does reach as far as the Corinthians (See: [10:13](../10/13.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces proof for a previous statement. Alternate translation: [You can tell that is true because] or [Indeed,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὐ & ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς

Here Paul is indicating that he and his fellow workers have not gone beyond the “limit” that he refers to in [10:13](../10/13.md). Express the idea so that the link to the previous verse is clear. Alternate translation: [we are not going beyond our limit]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς

as (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οὒ Γάρ ὡς μή ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς ἄχρι γάρ καί ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ)

Here Paul refers to what would need to be true if he and his fellow workers were actually overextending themselves. That would be true only if they did not reach or visit the Corinthians. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [which would only be true if we had not come to you]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

(Occurrence 2) γὰρ

Here, the word for introduces further evidence or proof for Paul’s claim that he and his fellow workers were not overextending themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces evidence or proof. Alternate translation: [since in reality] or [because]

(Occurrence 2) ἐφθάσαμεν

Here, the phrase we came could indicate that: (1) Paul and his fellow workers had already visited the Corinthians. Alternate translation: [we went] (2) Paul and his fellow workers visited the Corinthians before Paul’s opponents visited the Corinthians. Alternate translation: [before anyone else did, we came]

Parallel 2 COR 10:14

Section 10:1–18: Paul defended his ministry

10:14a

10:14b

10:14c

Parallel 2 COR 10:14